Building a Better Grape ... or ... Always Drink Upstream from the Herd
The weather is heating up in Chapel Hill, and this time of summer means we are eagerly anticipating the new grape harvest season. This year is especially exciting on Union Grove Farm, with the promise of the new grape varietals that we have been focused on building for over five years.
I tell my farming partners, always drink upstream from the herd. While the herd is still focused on growing the same old Muscadine grapes, for us, we are cultivating thin-skinned, seedless grapes as our foundation for the vineyard. Now with the innovation of our new, seedless Muscadine grapes, we are not only delivering grapes that are beautiful and delicious, but also incredibly good for you.
When I bought the initial Union Grove Farm ground in 2005, I decided (after looking at several options, including truffles) that we would grow grapes. Why not? I love wine and eating fresh and frozen grapes is a near obsession. The only challenge is that Muscadine grapes are what grow best here in the North Carolina region. Muscadines, while tasty, have been likened to ‘juice bottle wrapped in shoe leather’. In other words, not a great grape. Well, we’ve fixed that.
Enter Jeff Bloodworth. Jeff has dedicated his life’s work to grape growing and breeding. Starting with his research program at NC State, he received funding from the NC Grape Council for a private program and was granted a US Utility Plant Patent in 2014 for his grape breeding method. Jeff also agreed with my assessment of the old Muscadine, and we have worked together to build a new grape that holds all of the amazing nutritional qualities of Muscadines but is easy to pick, easy to eat, bug and mildew resistant and very hardy – AND seedless, sweet and delicious.
Today we have several thousand seedlings planted on Union Grove Farm and are now starting the elimination process for the grapes. It is our belief that over the next few years we will find the perfect thin skinned, seedless grape and introduce it to the world. Progress has come slowly, but we will start harvesting RazzMatazz and Sugar Bomb – coming to a market near you soon.